A prayer for the president-elect

Almighty and sovereign God, ruler over all that you have made: As we awoke today to a new president, some of us are surprised, but the outcome of yesterday's voting is not a surprise to you, who know and ordain our beginning and our end.

Thank you for the precious truth that, in Christ, your mercies are new every morning. We confess that too often we have put our trust in chariots and horses-and presidents-instead of your perfect rule. We confess our fretting and, instead, rest this morning in your sovereign governing over all that you have made.

We pray for our new president, making intercessions and thanksgiving for him. Through our voting, you have appointed a ruler to govern your people; work through him to promote that which is good and to punish that which is evil.

Protect his and his family's lives, and make him a defender of life.

Guide him as he guides our government.

You have elevated him to a high position, but we pray for his good and for your glory that you would keep him humble. As men honor him and his office, remind him that all flesh is like grass, and its glory like the flower of the field; that the grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the Lord abides forever. Bring that word to his mind as he assumes the awesome mantle of his office.

Keep him from pride and from confidence in his own strength, that he might find it in the One who has been strong in our weakness.

Give him to rule in a way that your people might live a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

For the sake of your own Son, who intercedes every moment for your people, give us grace to honor everyone, love the brotherhood, fear you, and to honor President-elect Barack Obama. In the name of King Jesus, we ask. Amen.

-Written by William C. Marsh, a pastor in Greensboro, N.C.